Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Quick answer: Earwigs are elongated, flattened, reddish-brown insects about 5–15 mm long with a distinctive pair of pincers (forceps) at the rear. They are nocturnal and hide in cool, damp, dark spots. Despite the old myth, earwigs do not crawl into people’s ears or harm humans — they are a nuisance and an occasional indoor invader, usually wandering in from outside.
What earwigs look like
The giveaway is the curved pincers at the tail end (curved on males, straighter on females). The body is long and flat, reddish-brown to dark brown, with short wings on many species. They move quickly and are most active at night.
Are earwigs dangerous?
No. The pincers look intimidating but are used for defense and handling prey/mates; a pinch from a large earwig is harmless and rarely breaks skin. Earwigs don’t spread disease, don’t infest like bed bugs or roaches, and don’t damage your home. The “crawls into your ear” story is a myth.
Why earwigs are in your house
They thrive outdoors in mulch, leaf litter, and damp soil, and wander indoors seeking moisture (or to escape heat/dryness), slipping in through door gaps, foundation cracks, and around windows. Indoors you’ll find them in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and near houseplants.
How to control earwigs
Target moisture and entry: reduce dampness (fix leaks, ventilate, dehumidify), move mulch and leaf litter away from the foundation, fix door sweeps and screens, and seal cracks. Most indoor earwigs can simply be removed; persistent numbers point to a moisture issue or a heavy outdoor population worth treating.
Seeing lots of earwigs? New York Exterminating can find the moisture source and treat the perimeter, led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). Call (347) 210-4646 or request a free assessment.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For pests in your home or building, NYE provides IPM-based, low-exposure control matched to the exact pest and verified with a follow-up. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
Earwigs — FAQ
Do earwigs go in your ears?
No — that’s a myth. Earwigs have no interest in or ability to live in human ears.
Do earwig pinches hurt?
Rarely. A large earwig can deliver a mild pinch, but it’s harmless and seldom breaks skin.
Why do I suddenly have earwigs inside?
They wander in from damp soil and mulch seeking moisture, especially in hot or dry weather, through gaps around doors, windows and the foundation.
How do I get rid of earwigs?
Reduce indoor moisture, move mulch away from the house, seal entry points, and treat the exterior perimeter if numbers are high.
